IWC Mark XV

If there is one thing that the International Watch Company is known for, it’s an impressive devotion to the development and production of an outstanding pilot’s watch. Mark XI pilot’s watches are among some of the most sought after WWII mil-spec watches today, and for good reason. With incredible accuracy and incorporated anti-magnetic designs, these timepieces were an essential part of an aircraft pilot's kit, and are widely lauded for their service during combat raids and sorties.

Since WWII, IWC has maintained its focus on developing functional (as well as beautiful) timepieces for pilots, drawing on what has become an iconic style; clean, clutter-free dials with bright, legible hour markers and hands doused in luminous material.

The Mark XV is the direct descendent of the Mark XI and hallmarks of its ancestor can be seen throughout its design.  With it's traditionally-styled dial and a modern (and perfect!) 38mm case size with longer, slimmer lugs and a thinner overall feel on the wrist, the Mark XV is perhaps our favorite contemporary Mark-series pilot's watch. The Mark XV was also the last in the series to offer a dial with a printed Arabic 9:00 marker, a feature that has been left off subsequent models, much to the chagrin of enthusiasts!

This particular timepiece is finished with a rare and stunning white dial - a departure from the traditional matte black dials typically found on aviator's watches. Brightening things up even further is the central seconds hand in blued steel, which brilliantly catches the light beneath the domed crystal. If anything, this crisp dial and subtly colored hand dresses up the piece ever so slightly, making it versatile for dress and casual wear alike. Complete with its original inner and outer boxes and books and just back from a trip to the spa, this Mark XV is ready to go.

We don't always go for modern watches as we often feel they are over-designed and oversized.  But the Mark XV might just be the perfect contemporary IWC - it's got all the looks of its vintage brethren, a robust movement and a case that was designed to take a beating.  All in all, its a great timepiece that we'd never shy away from strapping to our wrist.